FIRE HORSES DESCRIPTION AND STORIES
A Learning On-Line Resource Page by Howard Taylor
Page Two

quarters. Charleston firemen would not have the upstairs as their own private quarters until several years later. The City Council would regularly meet in session in the upper floor whenever needed. When the brass pole was acquired is not known. OTHER FIRE SERVICE INVENTIONS CAME AFTER THE HORSE The station gong would not be put into service until its invention. The telephone in the late 19th century would allow this item. Charleston would not get its gong, inside the station, until the REO Speedwagon was retired. In the big cities, more than one gong was used in a series (connected to fire boxes) to let the watchman know which firebox had been pulled. The firemen would respond to the location of the firebox. Charleston relied on word-of-mouth for years. The only warning means was the 1874 alarm bell on top the station. The big city departments such as San Francisco were operated by professionals, who put in very long consecutive 24 hour shifts. Their training was strict and many rules were applied, especially about care of the horses. Charleston and other volunteer brigades would have a few rules, but often were mostly a social club. Early in the history of the CFD, volunteers would stay at the fire house over-night for the watch. They would receive $1.50 per night. Charleston volunteers would not spend the hours "living" at the station as did the big-city departments. Evidently the chief received pay of some kind. In 1917, the association voted to attempt to get a raise for the chief from the City Council. THE HORSE A fire horse was usually a large horse of 1,300-1,400 Ibs. (too heavy for carriages, but too light for heavy draft purposes). The horses could be described as "magnificent great and wide-chested, with tightskin and compact, with solid muscles,

well-proportioned limbs-full of life and strength" (The Firehorses of San Francisco, p. 29), The big-city purchased, for sometimes up to $300.00, special bred horses. Even a high-priced, nearly perfect horse would not pass the test for fire work. Some didn't have the personality or stamina. This would be discovered in a rather long training period. Most departments had their own veterinarians on-staff. Many horses were "very spirited" and non-conformist in nature, but with a patient and knowledgeable trainer, would turn into a top-notch reliable fire-horse. Just think of 3 large horses fastened to a very heavy steamer, galloping full speed through busy streets (and hills) of San Francisco, between throngs of other wagons, buggies, horses, trolly cars, etc. The horses and the driver had to make quick judgments constantly. Even Charleston had railroad-type interurban cars in its days of fire horses. The horses would have to have above-average intelligence to serve for San Francisco. Charleston, no doubt would be much less demanding. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD FIRE HORSE 1) Higher than average intelligence of his/her own. 2) Power to produce speed when needed, quickly (would make the difference between life & death.) Remember that the horses could be hitched and ready to leave in 7 and 1/2 seconds). 3) An unlimited sense of responsibility. 4) Knows when to break his gait (from gallop to slower speed with two other horses, simultaneously). 5) Knows to sense the danger of turning corners too sharp. 6) Knows the hazards of the down-hill slope. 7) Can handle extremely heavy and awkward loads as were steamers & wagons.

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